Many scholars and writers are fond of themselves. They boast pretending humility, and love to be invited to meetings, and come in beautiful clothes and precious headdresses, expecting everybody to greet them with respect, and seat them in the best and most comfortable places at feasts. When they talk, they speak slowly with a smile, and they nod in assent to superficial sayings spoken by those who sit beside them. Secretly they work to receive the price of their publicity by springing upon the money of the harmless, orphans, and widows. Jesus warns us from the forms of hypocrisy; pomp, false affected speech, and pretended sedateness. Paul also teaches us to work with our hands and not live on the gifts of others. Would that you live as an ordinary man, repenting before God, and thanking him for his grace, for then you would remain near to the others’ souls.
Jesus watched the people as their hands dropped their money in the temple treasury. He criticized the rich men who dropped in a lot of money, for they had put in what they had to spare of their riches, as if they wished to buy the grace of God with their money.
Then a poor widow, who was probably the breadwinner of her children, came along and cast in only two little coins, which were all she had to live upon for that day, and perhaps a great part of what she had earned by her labor, probably in cleaning houses, the day before. Yet, she was motivated in her heart to honor God by her offering, and she gave him all she had to live on. Jesus called this the greatest offering of all. Now, how do you sacrifice for God? Do you love God practically and actually? In sacrificing your money, you show your relationship to God tangibly.
Jesus praised the widow’s offering even though it was insignificant, for it had moved his heart, which hallows the offering associated with expressions of faith and reverence.
One of the mysteries of the kingdom of God is that orphanages, hospitals, church services, and missionary works are supported by the continuous offerings of poor believers. These offerings please God, and produce plentiful blessings, for the blessing of the offering is more essential than the amount itself. We suggest that you should sacrifice your money continuously, as much as possible, not only meaning to offer uprightly and sincerely, but also to sacrifice practically and persistently, for the mere thinking of giving and offering is not sufficient. Ask the Lord to show you the needy man, or the spiritual service you are qualified to participate in. Pray for the purpose of your offerings, for they are a part of your worship to God.